US judge allows force-feeding of Guantanamo prisoner to continue

Washington, UNITED STATES: This undated handout photo received 27 April 2007 courtesy of Rewards for Justice shows Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi. A top Al-Qaeda commander who led operations in Afghanistan and plotted the assassination of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has been taken into US custody, a Pentagon spokesman said 27 April 2007. Abd al Hadi al-Iraqi, who was taken to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba within the past week, was intercepted as he was trying to reach Iraq to manage Al-Qaeda operations and possibly plot attacks against western targets outside Iraq, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. Whitman said al-Iraqi 'was one of Al-Qaeda's highest ranking and senior operatives at the time of his detention.' AFP PHOTO/REWARDS FOR JUSTICE/HO/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read HO/AFP/Getty Images)

This image reviewed by the US military shot through a one way mirror shows guards moving a detainee from his cell in Cell Block A of the 'Camp Six' detention facility of the Joint Detention Group at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, January 19, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - SEPTEMBER 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A U.S. Navy sailor passes by a sign at the U.S. detention center for 'enemy combatants' on September 16, 2010 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With attempts by the Obama administration to close the facility stalled, more than 170 detainees remain at the detention center, which was opened by the Bush administration after the attacks 9/11. The facility is run by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo, located on the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, which is the oldest American naval base outside of the continental United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - SEPTEMBER 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A U.S. military guard walks out of the maximum security section of the U.S. detention center for 'enemy combatants' on September 16, 2010 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With attempts by the Obama administration to close the facility stalled, more than 170 detainees remain at the detention center, which was opened by the Bush administration after the attacks of 9/11. The facility is run by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo, located at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay on the southeastern coast of Cuba. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - SEPTEMBER 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) U.S. military guards deliver lunch to detainees inside the U.S. detention center for 'enemy combatants' on September 16, 2010 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With attempts by the Obama administration to close the facility stalled, more than 170 detainees remain at the detention center, which was opened by the Bush administration after the attacks of 9/11. The facility is run by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo, located on the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, which is the oldest American naval base outside of the continental United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - SEPTEMBER 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) Portraits of the U.S. chain of command adorn the entrance of a military dining hall at the U.S. detention center on September 15, 2010 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With attempts by the Obama administration to close the facility stalled, more than 170 detainees remain at the detention center. The facility is run by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo, located on the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, which is the oldest American naval base outside of the continental United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - SEPTEMBER 14: A sign stands at the U.S. naval base on September 14, 2010 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay houses the American detention center for 'enemy combatants'. The base was first established in 1903 and is the oldest American naval base outside the continental United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - OCTOBER 03: IMAGE REVIEWED BY U.S. MILITARY PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION U.S. Army public affairs soldiers escort journalists to the Northeast Gate, the only passage in the fenceline between Cuba and the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, October 3, 2007 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The U.S. military and the Cuban military do hold meetings once a month at the crossing point to maintain good realations and to reduce misunderstandings between the forces. About 340 'enemy combatants' captured since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States continue to be held at the facility. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - OCTOBER 03: IMAGE REVIEWED BY U.S. MILITARY PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION A large American flag is framed on the wall inside the Administrative Review Boards and Combatant Status Review Tribunals room inside the Camp Delta detention facility at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay October 3, 2007 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Not technically a legal process, the tribunals 'provide an annual review to assess whether the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay present a threat to the U.S. or its allies,' according to the Office for the Administrative Review of the Detention of Enemy Combatants. Based on the tribunal's reccomendations, 199 detainees have been approved for release or transfer from Guantanamo. About 340 'enemy combatants' captured since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States continue to be held on the island. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A lighthouse and old migrants boats on the ground of the marine museum, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in this photo approved for release by the U.S. military. (Walter Michot/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)

German-born Turkish Murat Kurnaz, a former Guantanamo detainee and author, gestures during a press conference on November 12, 2014 in Geneva after a session of the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT). The US delegation was asked to explain why the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba remains open, why many detainees remain there without charge and when Washington plans to shut it down. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

The six prisoners freed from Guantanamo are being resettled to Uruguay, instead of being sent home.

The original courtroom at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in this photo approved for release by the U.S. military. (Walter Michot/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)

Male and female Army soldiers enter a facility on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in this photo approved for release by the U.S. military. (Walter Michot/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)

Cori Crider, lawyer of the Syrian national recently freed from Guantanamo prison Abu Wael Dhiab, speaks to the press outside of the Military Hospital in Montevideo on December 8, 2014. Six Guantanamo inmates transferred to Uruguay were to leave hospital in freedom after more than a decade in what one called the 'black hole' of the US military prison. AFP PHOTO/Pablo Porciuncula (Photo credit should read PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images)

TO GO WITH STORY BY OMAR HASAN--
Khalid al-Odah, the father of Fawzi al-Odah, one of two Kuwaiti detainees still being held at Guantanamo Bay , holds his sonâs picture, at his home in the Qurtuba district of Kuwait City on January 8,2012. Tens years since the opening of the US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, the families of remaining Arab detainees are tired of waiting despite US pledges to shut down the facility. Fawzi al-Odah and Fayez al-Kandari, the only two Kuwaitis still at the centre, 'may spend the rest of their lives in prison without trial,' said Odah's father, Khaled, who heads Gulf emirate's committee of the families of detainees. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/GettyImages)

Fawzi Al Odah of Kuwait imprisoned at #Guantanamo without any charge released after 13 years http://t.co/cYdmBN648p

Protesters dressed in orange prison outfits and black masks attend a demonstration outside the US embassy in Kuwait City on May 2, 2012, calling for the release of Kuwaiti prisoners still behind the bars at the US detention camp in Guantanamo Bay. Fawzi al-Odah and Fayez al-Kandari (portrait) are the only two Kuwaitis still held at the US prison. AFP PHOTO / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/GettyImages)

Women attend a demonstration outside the US embassy in Kuwait City on May 2, 2012, calling for the release of Kuwaiti prisoners still behind the bars at the US detention camp in Guantanamo Bay. Fawzi al-Odah and Fayez al-Kandari are the only two Kuwaitis still held at the US prison. AFP PHOTO / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/GettyImages)

This photo reviewed by the US military and made during an escorted visit shows a US naval medic explaining the 'feeding chair' procedures at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. The chair is used during the procedures of forced feeding for detainees in hunger strike. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo reviewed by the US military and made during an escorted visit shows a US naval medic explaining the 'feeding chair' procedures at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. The chair is used during the procedures of forced feeding for detainees in hunger strike. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo reviewed by the US military and made during an escorted visit shows a US naval medic explaining the 'feeding chair' procedures at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. The chair is used during the procedures of forced feeding for detainees in hunger strike. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo reviewed by the US military and made during an escorted visit shows a US naval medic explaining the 'feeding chair' procedures at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. The chair is used during the procedures of forced feeding for detainees in hunger strike. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Protestors demand the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, used by U.S. military forces to hold people indefinitely, in Times Square on May 23, 2014 in New York City. Organizers of the protest claimed the gathering was in coordination with protests happening in 40 other cities. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Protestors demand the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, used by U.S. military forces to hold people indefinitely, in Times Square on May 23, 2014 in New York City. Organizers of the protest claimed the gathering was in coordination with protests happening in 40 other cities. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Protestors demand the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, used by U.S. military forces to hold people indefinitely, in Times Square on May 23, 2014 in New York City. Organizers of the protest claimed the gathering was in coordination with protests happening in 40 other cities. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Protestors demand the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, used by U.S. military forces to hold people indefinitely, in Times Square on May 23, 2014 in New York City. Organizers of the protest claimed the gathering was in coordination with protests happening in 40 other cities. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Protestors wearing orange prisoners' jumpsuits hold signs as they call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during a global day of action for the closing of the prison and the end of indefinite detention in front of the White House in Washington on May 23, 2014. The action comes one year after US President Barack Obama once again made the case for closing the detention facility at GuantÃ¡namo Bay in a speech at National Defense University. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Protestors wearing orange prisoners' jumpsuits hold signs as they call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during a global day of action for the closing of the prison and the end of indefinite detention in front of the White House in Washington on May 23, 2014. The action comes one year after US President Barack Obama once again made the case for closing the detention facility at GuantÃ¡namo Bay in a speech at National Defense University. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Protestors hold a sign and wear orange prisoners' jumpsuits as they call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during a global day of action for the closing of the prison and the end of indefinite detention in front of the White House in Washington on May 23, 2014. The action comes one year after US President Barack Obama once again made the case for closing the detention facility at GuantÃ¡namo Bay in a speech at National Defense University. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Protestors wearing orange prisoners' jumpsuits hold signs as they call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during a global day of action for the closing of the prison and the end of indefinite detention in front of the White House in Washington on May 23, 2014. The action comes one year after US President Barack Obama once again made the case for closing the detention facility at GuantÃ¡namo Bay in a speech at National Defense University. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Protestors hold signs as they call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during a global day of action for the closing of the prison and the end of indefinite detention in front of the White House in Washington on May 23, 2014. The action comes one year after US President Barack Obama once again made the case for closing the detention facility at GuantÃ¡namo Bay in a speech at National Defense University. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Protestors wearing orange prisoners' jumpsuits hold signs as they call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during a global day of action for the closing of the prison and the end of indefinite detention in front of the White House in Washington on May 23, 2014. The action comes one year after US President Barack Obama once again made the case for closing the detention facility at GuantÃ¡namo Bay in a speech at National Defense University. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: Tourists mingle with demonstrators urging President Barack Obama to fulfill his pledge to close the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and end indefinite detention during a rally outside the White House May 23, 2014 in Washington, DC. Organized by several groups, including The National Religious Campaign Against Torture, CODEPINK, Amnesty International, the Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition and the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, the protesters gathered to mark the anniversary of Obama's May 23, 2013 national security speech. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

This photo made during an escorted visit and reviewed by the US military, shows the razor wire-topped fence and a watch tower at the abandoned 'Camp X-Ray' detention facility at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo made during an escorted visit and reviewed by the US military, shows the razor wire-topped fence and a watch tower at the abandoned 'Camp X-Ray' detention facility at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo made during an escorted visit and reviewed by the US military shows the basic detainee belongings on display at a cell of 'Camp 5' detention facility at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 8, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo made during an escorted visit and reviewed by the US military shows the signs otside the fence of 'Camp 6' detention facility at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 8, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo made during an escorted visit and reviewed by the US military, shows the interogation room of the abandoned 'Camp X-Ray' detention facility at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 9, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo made during an escorted visit and reviewed by the US military shows chains and handcuffs used at the medical center of 'Camp 5' detention facility at the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 8, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo reviewed by the US military and made during an escorted visit shows a welcome board at the road to the US Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 7, 2014. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

(Reuters) - A U.S. judge allowed the military to resume force-feeding a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay, saying she was in no position to make the complex medical decisions needed to keep the prisoner alive.

In an order issued late Thursday, U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler said the physical condition of Syrian prisoner Abu Wa'el Dhiab was rapidly deteriorating and she would not reissue a temporary order from last week that stopped the military from force-feeding him.

Dhiab's lawyers have argued that the practice of forcibly extracting him and other prisoners from their cells, restraining them and feeding them through a tube inserted into their noses, was illegal and abusive.

Earlier this week, Kessler said she urged the government and Dhiab's lawyers to reach a compromise on the procedure used to feed Dhiab, but that the Defense Department has "refused to make these compromises."

In a harshly worded, three-page order, Kessler said she faced a "Hobson's choice" of either reissuing a halt to the practices, which risked Dhiab dying, or allow medical personnel to take action to keep him alive at the possible cost of "great pain and suffering."

Lieutenant Colonel Todd Breasseale, a Pentagon spokesman, said: "As the court has asserted, this is a deeply complex issue. The Department has long held that we shall not allow the detainees in our charge to commit suicide and it's particularly worth noting here that we only apply enteral feeding in order to preserve life."

Enteral feeding refers to the delivery of a nutritionally complete food directly into the stomach or small bowel of a person suffering from or at risk of malnutrition.

Prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay naval base have engaged in hunger strikes for years, but only won the right to challenge in U.S. courts the military's practices of forcing them to eat in February.

Dhiab's lawyers are ultimately seeking an order that would force the military to change the practices.

On Wednesday, Kessler ordered the government to turn over more than 30 videos of Dhiab's feedings, some of his 2013 medical records, and the protocols the military uses to force-feed prisoners.